Dylan Sheppard

1. How did you get into design?I’ve always been interested in creating and making, and have had a hands on approach to a lot of aspects of my life. I had the opportunity during my high school education to study at the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries, focusing on visual arts and design technology, which helped streamline my focus towards the creative industries. For me, heading straight into university to study design was a natural progression and studying Industrial Design combined all the aspects I enjoy, from problem solving to staying creative.

2. What is your favourite part of the design process?My favourite part of the design process would have to be the ideation stage. Forming a range of ideas and working through detailing are parts of the process where creativity and problem solving play a significant role, and I’m a big fan of solving small problems to develop cohesive solutions.

3. What’s your go-to source for news or inspiration?My go-to source of inspiration is to absorb as much information as possible, by trawling through websites like Designboom, Core77, Dezeen and some other great design blogs. These sites are great to discover some good projects or get inspiration, but nothing beats a good design magazine or book.

4. What are your favourite tools?I think my favourite tools are the simple ones, my go to setup is a ballpoint pen and marker with stack of looseleaf A4 and a clipboard. Just the basics, and my MacBook, which rarely leaves my side.

5. What’s a problem you’d like to solve, big or small?I think there is a huge opportunity for design to make an impact in developing countries, big issues like access to clean water, shelter and public health might not be solved by design, but I think there’s a difference that can be made.